With India already facing the burden of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, heart attacks and strokes, it now has millions of overweight men, women and children, and is sitting next to the US and China on the obesity curve, according to a survey done by Lancet.
The medical journal revealed alarming rates of obesity in Indians, with nearly 80 million of them, including 10 million in the age bracket of 5-19 years, being obese. The report particularly mentions the global trend of obesity among children and adolescents.
The survey also highlighted that India’s obesity rate increased by 94% among women in 188 countries from 1990 to 2022.
Let’s look at the key highlights of the report.
• The study found that in India, obesity in children between the ages of 5 and 19 has gone up from 0.4 million in 1990 to 12.5 million children in 2022
• Obesity among women over the age of 20 has gone up manifold from 2.4 million women in 1990 to 44 million in 2022.
• 26 million men in the same age group were found to be obese in 1990, while in 1990, 1.1 million men were obese.
• India ranks 182 among 197 countries for the prevalence of obesity in women and 180 for men in 2022. The country ranked 174 in the world for both girls and boys.
• The study also points to the severe under-nutrition in India. The country has the highest number of underweight girls globally and the second-highest for boys. In 2022, around 35 million girls and 42 million boys aged 5 to 19 were underweight, a decrease from 1990. Among adults, the percentage of underweight women dropped from 41.7% to 13.7%, and for men, it decreased from 39.8% to 12.5% in 2022.
What is Obesity and Why it is an Important Health Indicator
According to the World Health Organization, obesity is an abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in the body that can lead to health risks. A BMI over 25 is considered overweight while over 30 is obese.
“India is right now sitting on the timebomb that is obesity. In my practice, every 4th or 5th person I come across is clinically obese or overweight,” said Dr Sanjay Verma, Director of Minimal Access, GI and Bariatric Surgery, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi, as quoted by The Quint.
Why Women Are More Obese Than Men
Dr Pradeepa Guha, co-author of the study and Head, Department of Research Operations and Diabetes Complications at the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation, mentions the primary drivers that cause obesity in women, as quoted by The Indian Express. She says women have caught themselves in the household and work that they don’t take out time for physical activity. She further said women in India have limited access to healthcare and education, and prioritise other members of their family for nutrition needs.
Moreover, biological factors such as pregnancy, menopause affect a woman’s weight, the doctor pointed out.
Another doctor, Dr Sanjay Verma, Director of Minimal Access, GI and Bariatric Surgery, Fortis Escorts, Okhla Road, New Delhi, said, as quoted by The Quint, males usually have truncal obesity, which may not be visible, but is dangerous. The fat in this case is stored in abdominal region.
There is another popular belief that obesity is a rich man’s disease because they could afford ultra-processed food and carb-rich diet, which are high in calorific value as well.
How to Stop Obesity, Control Diet?
A solid combination of good eating habits and cardio and strength training workouts can help maintain a steady weight and keep oneself fit, according to many experts.
One should pay specific attention to cutting down or giving up on smoking, monitoring restrained dieting, snacking and binge eating. The intake of added sugars in the form of soda, sweetened coffee and beverages is also dangerous to the body, according to Dr Pradeepa, as told to The Indian Express.
“At least 60 minutes of physical activity per day is recommended to be fit and healthy. The sale of unhealthy foods and beverages to children, restricting junk food advertisements targeted at children, clear nutritional labelling and promoting healthier options at school cafeterias are a must. Also, increase access to affordable and healthy food options,” Dr Pradeepa adds, as quoted by The Indian Express.
Experts also recommend that children should be involved in physical activities such as outdoor games and sports, and doing household chores after returning from school instead of allowing them to spend a considering time on phones, gadgets or watching TV.
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